Reproductive health: Addressing the gaps
Reproductive health workstream objectives
To enable access to contraception, further supporting shared decision-making and improved counseling, and overcoming barriers to choice
To create awareness of the barriers to best practice care for irregular/heavy menstrual bleeding and contraception in perimenopause and to facilitate care
To highlight the impact of climate change on women’s health
Joint initiatives with the menopause workstream
- To educate and mentor emerging champions for women’s reproductive health
- To build a platform of resources to enhance women’s and health care professionals’ knowledge
Raising awareness of irregular bleeding in perimenopause
Irregular bleeding or “variable length” cycles are often an early symptom of perimenopause and may be associated with anxiety and concerns for many women.1-3 Changes to bleeding should justify a discussion between the woman and her health care provider. This is an important opportunity to explore the menopausal transition and available interventions.
Although changes to the frequency or heaviness of menstrual bleeding is very common during perimenopause, it is largely a neglected symptom that is unfamiliar to many women in this phase of their life.1-3 High-quality evidence and standardized care recommendations are lacking. As the Women’s Health Academy, we are committed to increasing awareness of irregular bleeding or “variable length” menstrual cycles and available interventions to optimize care for these women.
Perimenopause can bring on changes to contraceptive needs and should prompt a discussion between a woman and her health care provider. As the Women’s Health Academy, we aim to increase awareness and access to information related to contraceptive care during this critical life stage.
Understanding the unique characteristics that define women’s experiences during perimenopause is critical to ensure that women receive the best possible care. As the Women’s Health Academy, we will develop resources to capture multidisciplinary perspectives and considerations for perimenopause that will support shared decision-making between women and health care professionals.